Can you heat hot water with solar panels?
The short answer is yes. However, as Solar PV Panels are used to generate electricity, heating hot water is not what they are typically used for, but if you export a generous amount of electricity to the grid, then a Solar Powered Immersion Heater may be the solution for you!
What are solar powered immersion heaters?
Solar powered immersion heaters are a way for you to use some of the electricity you generate from your solar panels to heat hot water. It is one way of using the electricity that you generate instead of exporting it to the grid or installing a battery to store it until you need it.
Many names are being used for these products which can include immersion power diverters, solar PV optimisers, power diverters, energy diverters and immersion optimisers.
Why would you want to install a solar powered immersion heater?
One of the key reasons for installing a solar powered immersion heater is to maximise the energy generated from your solar panels and prevent it from being exported to the grid when it could be used for another purpose. It also helps reduce your costs by heating your hot water so your gas bills can be reduced as well as your electricity.
You would need to have a hot water tank as part of your heating system though. You can install the solar powered immersion heater at any point as it is a smart add-on device that can be easily installed.
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How do solar powered immersion heaters work?
A monitor is installed between the main meter and consumer unit to monitor your energy consumption combined with monitoring your solar panel energy production. When the household demand for energy is not as high as the amount of solar energy being generated, the solar powered immersion heater can divert the electricity to heat the water in your water tank. When the electricity from the solar panels is heating the hot water, other fuels will not be required to heat the water, therefore making savings on your energy bills.
If the demand for electricity in your property increases, the amount of electricity being diverted to heat the water will be decreased as other appliances in the property will always take priority. Therefore, the solar powered immersion heater can help you to maximise the electricity you generate and ensure you use the electricity for your appliances first, then heat your water to save the most on your energy bills.
Is your property suitable for a solar powered immersion heater?
Firstly, you must have a conventional boiler with a hot water cylinder for the solar powered immersion heater to work, as a solar powered immersion device heats the water in your cylinder using electricity.
Secondly, the electricity you consume must shouldn’t exceed the electricity you generate, as there needs to be a reasonable excess to heat the water and make it a worthwhile investment.
Finally, the distance between your water tank and the electricity meter shouldn’t exceed 30m.
Next steps…
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